RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: The Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) on Monday demanded restructuring of Ajni loco shed with its loco holding going up from 120 to 176.

The carpet area of loco shed is designated for 120 locos. Even as the holding has increased, carpet area remains the same leading to safety concerns, said Vinod Chaturvedi, divisional secretary of CRMS.

Chaturvedi said as per the Railway Board norms; at least 5.5 employees are required per loco. Considering this, for 176 locos, at least 968 employees are required but there are only 790.

"The Central Railway should fill up at least 139 posts on priority," Chaturvedi demanded. He was accompanied by divisional president RN Chandurkar, Debashish Bhattacharya and others.

A proposal in this regard was forwarded to the divisional railway manager (DRM) for administrative approval in 2009, but the Central Railway is sitting over the proposal, it seems.

Chaturvedi said welfare of loco shed employees was being neglected and wanted upgradation and merger of technician Grade II employees into Grade I and demanded AC II passes to Grade I technicians, besides promotion of 15% senior supervisors in gazetted posts.

In Matunga and Parel in Mumbai, food is still served for Rs10, but in Ajni loco shed there is no subsidized canteen. "A thali with substandard food is available for Rs35," he said. There is no provision for uniform and industrial shoes to the staff.

A section of CRMS leaders said railway officials' families misuse their vehicles for shopping but there is no emergency vehicle for field staff at Ajni which is deputed for troubleshooting at odd hours.